Bank Or Block Architecture Patents (Class 365/185.11)
  • Patent number: 10468094
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises a first memory cell array including a first block and a second block, the first block including a first memory cell, and the second block including a second memory cell; and a controller that performs, in a first period of time in writing, a first program in the first memory cell and the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hayao Kasai
  • Patent number: 10466902
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device including a plurality of memory arrays, each of which includes a plurality of memory blocks, and a controller suitable for setting super blocks each including respective memory blocks that belong to two or more memory arrays among the plurality of the memory arrays and performing a garbage collection operation on the super blocks based on a valid page information and a wearing level of each super block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Woong-Sik Shin, Jeong-Ho Jeon
  • Patent number: 10467163
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first serial port having a first number of lanes usable to form a first multi-lane link to a solid state drive (SSD) and a second serial port having a second number of lanes that is at least twice the first number of lanes. A first subset of the second number of lanes constitutes a first logical serial port and is usable to form a second multi-lane link to a first transport fabric and a second subset of the second number of lanes constitutes a second logical serial port and is usable to form a third multi-lane link to a second transport fabric. The apparatus further includes a controller and a multiplexer to connect the first serial port to one of the first logical serial port or the second logical serial port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Pavilion Data Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiron Balkrishna Malwankar, Karagada Ramarao Kishore, Daehwan D. Kim
  • Patent number: 10460807
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device using existing row decoding circuitry to selectively provide a global erase voltage to at least one selected memory block in order to facilitate erasing of all the non-volatile memory cells of the at least one selected memory block. More specifically, the erase voltage is coupled to the cell body or substrate of memory cells of the at least one selected memory block, where the cell body is electrically isolated from the cell body of non-volatile memory cells in at least one other memory block. By integrating the erase voltage path with the existing row decoding circuitry used to drive row signals for a selected memory block, no additional decoding logic or circuitry is required for providing the erase voltage to the at least one selected memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Mangement Inc.
    Inventor: Hyoung Seub Rhie
  • Patent number: 10453536
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes first blocks including a memory cell capable of storing data of one bit, a second block including a memory cell capable of storing data of two or more bits. The semiconductor memory stores first data in a first latch circuit, and second data in a second latch circuit, and writes the first data into one of the first blocks in page units, and the second data into one of the first blocks in page units. The semiconductor memory writes data of at least two pages into the second block, using the first data stored in the first latch circuit and the second data stored in the second latch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 10446219
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device is described including a memory array including a plurality of memory cells wherein each memory cell is coupled to a control line, a memory assist circuit configured to, when activated, apply a reduction of a voltage of the control line, a signal generator configured to generate a signal representing at least one of a process corner of the memory device, a supply voltage of the memory device, a temperature of the memory device and an aging of the memory device, a signal processing circuit configured to amplify the signal and a controller configured to activate the memory assist circuit based the amplified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Siddharth Gupta, Gunther Lehmann
  • Patent number: 10438672
    Abstract: Memory devices including a controller configured to cause the memory device to apply a positive first voltage level to a first data line selectively connected to a first string of series-connected memory cells while applying a second voltage level, higher than the first voltage level, to a second data line selectively connected to a second string of series-connected memory cells; while applying the first voltage level to the first data line and applying the second voltage level to the second data line, applying a third voltage level to a particular access line coupled to a memory cell of a first string of series-connected memory cells selected for programming, wherein a differential between the third voltage level and the first voltage level is configured to increase a threshold voltage of the memory cell selected for programming, as well as other apparatus containing similar memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Goda, Yijie Zhao, Krishna Parat
  • Patent number: 10431311
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory includes includes conductors, a pillar through the conductors, a controller. The pillar includes a first pillar portion, a second pillar portion, and a joint portion between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion. Each of the portions where the pillar and the conductors cross functions as a transistor. Among the conductors through the first pillar portion, the conductor most proximal to the joint portion and one of the other conductors respectively function as a first dummy word line and a first word line. Among the conductors through the second pillar portion, the conductor most proximal to the joint portion and one of the other conductors respectively function as a second dummy word line and a second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Izumi, Reiko Komiya
  • Patent number: 10431322
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first string is coupled to the bit line via a first transistor and includes a first cell transistor. A second string is coupled to the bit line via a second transistor and includes a second cell transistor. The first and second cell transistors are coupled to the word line. A controller is configured to instruct the memory device to write first data to the first cell transistor and to write second data to the second cell transistor. The controller is further configured to instruct the memory device to read data from the first cell transistor while storing the first data and the second data after making the instruction for writing the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishida, Hidetaka Tsuji, Tomoyuki Kantani
  • Patent number: 10431263
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for simulating access lines in a memory. An example method can include receiving a first bit-vector and a second bit-vector in a format associated with storing the first bit-vector in memory cells coupled to a first access line and a first number of sense lines and storing the second bit-vector in memory cells coupled to a second access line and the first number of sense lines. The method can include storing the first bit-vector in a number of memory cells coupled to the first access line and a second number of sense lines and storing the second bit-vector in a number of memory cells coupled to the first access line and a third number of sense lines, wherein a quantity of the first number of sense lines is less than a quantity of the second and third number of sense lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremiah J. Willcock
  • Patent number: 10418106
    Abstract: Methods include programming a first portion of memory cells of a string of series-connected memory cells closer to a particular end of the string than a second portion of memory cells of the string in an order from a different end of the string to the particular end, and programming the second portion of memory cells in an order from the particular end to the different end. Methods further include incrementing a first read count and a second read count in response to performing a read operation on a memory cell of a block of memory cells, resetting the first read count in response to performing an erase operation on a first portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells, and resetting the second read count in response to performing an erase operation on the second portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 10417123
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for improving garbage collection and wear leveling performance in data storage systems. The embodiments can improve the efficiency of static wear leveling by picking the best candidate block for static wear leveling and/or postponing static wear leveling on certain candidate blocks. In one embodiment, one or more source blocks for a static wear leveling operation are selected based at least on whether the one or more blocks have a low P/E count and contain static data, such as data that has been garbage collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamyar Souri, Andrew J. Tomlin, Dmitry S. Obukhov, Jing Booth, Mei-Man L. Syu
  • Patent number: 10409718
    Abstract: There are provided a memory system including a semiconductor memory device and a controller and an operating method thereof. A memory system having an extended storage area includes a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory blocks, and a controller for controlling the semiconductor memory device. In the memory system, the semiconductor memory device stores system information required to drive the semiconductor memory device and the controller in one memory block among the plurality of memory blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: An Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 10410718
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for limiting current in threshold switching memories are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a plurality of first decoder circuits, a plurality of second decoder circuits, an array of memory cells, and a control circuit. Each memory cell of the array of memory cells may be cells coupled to a pair of first decoder circuits of the plurality of first decoder circuits, and further coupled to a pair of second decoder circuits of the plurality of second decoder circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Hari Giduturi, Mingdong Cui
  • Patent number: 10410729
    Abstract: A flash memory cell array includes multiple flash memory units. A flash memory unit includes first and second select transistors, and first and second floating-gate transistors on a substrate. The first floating-gate transistor has a source connected to a drain of the first select transistor, and a drain connected to a drain of the second floating-gate transistor. The second floating-gate transistor has a source connected a drain of the second select transistor. The first and second floating-gate transistors of a flash memory unit in a j-th column have a control gate connected to a j-th word line. The first and second select transistors of the flash memory unit in the j-th column have a source connected to a common source line. The first and second floating-gate transistors of a flash memory unit in an i-th row have a drain connected to an i-th bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiao Ye, Bongkil Kim
  • Patent number: 10403379
    Abstract: An erased block reverification method for a solid state storage device is provided. Firstly, an erase command corresponding to a selected block is issued to an array control circuit. When an erase pass message is received, a judging step is performed to judge whether a setting condition of the selected block is satisfied. If the setting condition of the selected block is satisfied, the selected block is recorded as a good block. If the setting condition of the selected block is not satisfied, a selected block reverification process is performed. During the selected block reverification process, a data of the selected block is read and the selected block is recorded as the good block or a defective block according to a number of memory cells of the selected block in a non-erase state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Kuo, Ding-Chiuan Huang, Shih-Jia Zeng
  • Patent number: 10403373
    Abstract: A memory system of an embodiment includes a memory device including a first set of cell transistors and a second set of cell transistors; and a controller configured to transmit to the memory device a first instruction and transmit to the memory device a second instruction after reception of a first request without receiving the first request again. The first instruction instructs parallel reads from the first and second sets of cell transistors, and the second instruction instructs a read from the first set of cell transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Akamine, Masanobu Shirakawa, Tokumasa Hara
  • Patent number: 10403371
    Abstract: Methods of operating memory include generating a data value indicative of a level of a property sensed from a data line while applying potentials to control gates of memory cells of more than one string of series-connected memory cells connected to that data line. Methods of operating memory further include generating data values indicative of levels of a property sensed from data lines while applying potentials to control gates of memory cells of strings of series-connected memory cells connected to those data lines, performing a logical operation on a set of data values comprising those data values, and determining a potential to be applied to control gates of different memory cells of those strings of series-connected memory cells in response to an output of the logical operation on the set of data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Kenneth J. Eldredge, Frankie F. Roohparvar, Luca De Santis
  • Patent number: 10395048
    Abstract: A method for protecting video data stored in a cloud and a system thereof. The method comprises the following steps: when video data needs to be protected, setting a corresponding locking mark and information represents a locking duration for the video data; when the locking duration of the video data that has been locked ends, removing the locking mark corresponding to the video data; when cyclic overwriting is required, overwriting video data with longest storage time and without a corresponding locking mark with new video data to be stored. A locking mark is set for video data that needs to be protected in past time and future time scopes so that the video data after locking will not be lost due to cyclic overwriting. Setting a locking password can prevent a problem that key video is deleted by mistake when a user manually deletes a video data file and can prevent key video data from being deleted maliciously by human at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HANG ZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Zhou, Chun Yan, Qiqian Lin
  • Patent number: 10395723
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory chip including a substrate, an array of memory cells in arranged each of a plurality of levels in a thickness direction of the substrate, and a plurality of word lines arranged in the thickness direction, each of the word lines being connected to memory cells in one of the levels, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an offset value with respect to each of a plurality of word line groups that are organized from the plurality of word lines along the thickness direction, and, with respect to each of the word line groups, set a voltage to be applied to the word line group during at least one of write, read, and erase operations, based on a base parameter value and the offset value corresponding to the word line group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Takizawa, Masaaki Niijima
  • Patent number: 10387281
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for a flash memory block retirement policy are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a first memory block is removed from service in response to encountering a read error in the first memory block that exceeds a first error threshold. Recoverable data is copied from the first memory block to a second memory block. During each of multiple iterations, the first memory block is erased and programmed, and each page of the first memory block is read. In response to none of the pages exhibiting a read error that exceeds a second error threshold during the multiple iterations, the first memory block is returned to service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish Reddy Singidi, Giuseppe Cariello, Deping He, Scott Anthony Stoller, Devin Batutis, Preston Thomson
  • Patent number: 10387246
    Abstract: The subject technology provides for scanning blocks of a flash memory device for erased pages. A first codeword read from a page of a block in a flash memory device is received and provided to a first decoder for decoding. In response to receiving a first success indicator from the first decoder indicating that the first codeword was successfully decoded, first decoded data is provided from the first decoder to a second decoder for verification of the first decoded data. In response to receiving a first failure indicator from the second decoder indicating that the first decoded data was not verified, the page of the block is identified as being in an erased state based on the first success indicator received from the first decoder and the first failure indicator received from the second decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Barndt, Seyhan Karakulak, Scott Kayser, Majid Nemati Anaraki, Anthony Dwayne Weathers
  • Patent number: 10387046
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods to transfer data between banks of memory cells. An example includes a plurality of banks of memory cells and a controller coupled to the plurality of subarrays configured to cause transfer of data between the plurality of banks of memory cells via internal data path operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh K. Mai, Gary L. Howe, Daniel B. Penney
  • Patent number: 10381080
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for segmented SGS lines are described. An example apparatus includes a plurality of memory subblocks, a plurality of first select gate control lines, each first select gate control line of the plurality of first select gate control lines configured to couple a memory subblock of the plurality of memory subblocks to a signal line, and a second select gate control line configured to couple the plurality of memory subblocks to a source line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Pan, Jaekwan Park, Ramin Ghodsi
  • Patent number: 10381083
    Abstract: A memory device and associated techniques avoid a disturb of a select gate transistor during an erase operation for memory cells in a string. During the erase operation, a channel potential gradient near the select gate transistors is reduced when the voltages of the bit line and the substrate are suitably controlled. In one approach, the voltage of the substrate at a source end of the memory string is increased to an intermediate level first before being increased to the erase voltage threshold level while the voltage of the bit line is held at a reference voltage level to delay floating the voltage of the bit line. Another approach builds off the first approach by temporarily decreasing the voltage of the bit line to a negative level before letting the voltage of the bit line to float at the same time as the voltage of the substrate is increased to the erase voltage threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Kun-Huan Shih, Matthias Baenninger, Huai-Yuan Tseng, Dengtao Zhao, Deepanshu Dutta
  • Patent number: 10381082
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device has floating-gate memory cells and a memory control circuit which controls them. During programming operation of the memory cells, the memory control circuit makes the potentials at the backgate and source of the memory cells equal. For example, during programming operation of the memory cells, the memory control circuit short-circuits together the backgate and source of the memory cells. For another example, during programming operation of the memory cells, the memory control circuit switches from a state where the potentials at the backgate and source of the memory cells are equal to a floating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okamoto, Kazuhisa Ukai, Seiichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10373689
    Abstract: Provided herein are a semiconductor memory device and a method of operating the same. The semiconductor memory device in accordance with an embodiment may include a memory cell array, a peripheral circuit, and a control circuit. The memory cell array may include a plurality of memory blocks. The peripheral circuit may perform an erase operation on a selected memory block. The control circuit may control the peripheral circuit such that, during the erase operation, when the selected memory block has passed an erase verification, an additional erase verification operation is performed on memory cells coupled to a reference word line among a plurality of word lines coupled to the selected memory block, and the erase operation is performed according to a result of the additional erase verification operation for the memory cells coupled to the reference word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10373692
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, a voltage generation unit and a control unit. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of blocks each including a plurality of memory cells, and a voltage generation unit configured to change a read level of the memory cell. The control unit controls write, read, and erase of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. The control unit changes the read level between a start of use of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a timing after an elapse of a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10365854
    Abstract: A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that include tracking data temperatures of logical block addresses for a memory device by operating multiple accumulators by one or more data temperature analyzers to count host writes to ranges of logical block addresses. Data temperature for data written by a host is a measure of how frequently data at a logical block address is overwritten. In various embodiments, tracking can include staggering the start of counting by each of the multiple accumulators to provide subsequent binning of logical block addresses bands into temperature zones, which can achieve better data segregation. Data having a logical block address received from a host can be routed to a block associated with a temperature zone based on the binning provided by the staggered operation of the multiple accumulators by one or more data temperature analyzers. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Sean Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Sampath Ratnam, Harish Singidi, Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu
  • Patent number: 10366730
    Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device outputs a first group of data and a second group of data to a first group of input/output (I/O) lines and a second group of I/O lines in response to a command and an address. The second semiconductor device sequentially latches the first group of data loaded on the first group of I/O lines and the second group of data loaded on the second group of I/O lines to generate an output data or simultaneously latches the first and second groups of data loaded on the first and second groups of I/O lines to generate the output data, in response to a burst length information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jaeil Kim
  • Patent number: 10360948
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array that includes memory cells, a row decoder that is connected to the memory cell array through word lines, a column decoder that is connected to the memory cell array through bit lines and source lines, a write driver that transfers a write voltage to a bit line, which is selected by the column decoder, from among the bit lines by using a gate voltage in a write operation, and control logic that generates the gate voltage. The gate voltage is higher than the write voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Artur Antonyan
  • Patent number: 10360986
    Abstract: A memory management method and a storage controller are provided. The memory management method includes: dividing a plurality of word lines of a first block into a plurality of word line groups and recording a characteristic value for each of the word line groups; accumulating the characteristic values of a second word line group and a third word line group when reading a first word line group, wherein the second word line group and the third word line group are directly adjacent to the first word line group; and reading the second word line group via a first optimal read voltage group when the characteristic value of the second word line group is greater than a first threshold, wherein the first optimal read voltage group is different from a default read voltage group corresponding to the second word line group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Shenzhen EpoStar Electronics Limited CO.
    Inventors: Yu-Hua Hsiao, Yi-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 10354722
    Abstract: An assist driver is coupled to an end of a word line to which a word line driver is not coupled, and couples the other end of the word line to a first power source, in accordance with a voltage of the other end of the word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 10355010
    Abstract: A memory device including a substrate, a plurality of channel columns, a gate stack, an interlayer insulating layer, a plurality of first trenches, and at least one second trench. The substrate includes a cell array region and a connection region. The channel columns cross an upper surface of the substrate in the cell array region. The gate stack includes a plurality of gate electrode layers surrounding the channel columns in the cell array region. The gate electrode layers extend to different lengths in the connection region to form a stepped structure. The interlayer insulating layer is on the gate stack. The first trenches divide the gate stack and the interlayer insulating layer into a plurality of regions. The at least one second trench is inside of the interlayer insulating layer in the connection region and between the first trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang Hyun You, Jin Taek Park, Taek Soo Shin, Sung Yun Lee
  • Patent number: 10319738
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a cell string vertically extending from a top surface of a substrate and having first and second cell transistors, first and second word lines connected to gate electrodes of the first and second cell transistors respectively, a first pass transistor connecting the first word line to a row decoder, and a second pass transistor connecting the second word line to the row decoder. The first pass transistor includes a plurality of first sub-transistors connected in parallel between the first word line and the row decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Bum Kim, Sunghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10304544
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, bit lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, and page buffers coupled to the plurality of memory cells through the bit lines, and performing a read operation on the plurality of memory cells, wherein each of the page buffers comprises: a first latch controlling a bit line precharge operation during the read operation; and a second latch storing a result of a first sensing operation and a result of a second sensing operation performed after the first sensing operation, wherein a value stored in the second latch is inverted when the result of the first sensing operation and the result of second sensing operation are different from each other during the second sensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Joung Park, Kyeong Seung Kang, Won Chul Shin, Dong Hyuk Chae
  • Patent number: 10296226
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor memory device that may include a plurality of memory blocks configured to share bit lines and a common source line, a voltage generation circuit configured to apply an erase voltage to the common source line, and operation voltages to word lines and select lines of the plurality of memory blocks during an erase operation, a read and write circuit configured to check a program and erase status of an unselected memory block of the plurality of memory blocks during the erase operation, and a control logic configured to control the voltage generation circuit so that the operation voltages applied to select lines of a selected memory block are controlled in accordance with a result of checking the program and erase status of the unselected memory block during the erase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Ho Kim, Min Sang Park, Yong Seok Suh, Kyong Taek Lee, Gil Bok Choi
  • Patent number: 10290355
    Abstract: In a method of programming a semiconductor memory device, during a standby period, a standby voltage is applied to word lines coupled to a plurality of memory cells included in a selected memory cell string, and, during a first program period, a first pre-bias voltage is applied to a word line coupled to at least one of programmed memory cells of the selected memory cell string. The first pre-bias voltage is greater than the standby voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Mee Kwon, Ji Seon Kim, Sang Tae Ahn
  • Patent number: 10283204
    Abstract: In a method of operating a nonvolatile memory device, a first sub-block to be erased is selected in a first memory block including the first sub-block and a second sub-block adjacent to the first sub-block, in response to a erase command and an address. The first sub-block includes memory cells connected to a plurality of word-lines including at least one boundary word-line adjacent to the second sub-block and internal word-lines other than the at least one boundary word-line. An erase voltage is applied to a substrate in which the first memory block is formed. Based on a voltage level of the erase voltage applied to the substrate, applying, a first erase bias condition to the at least one boundary word-line and a second erase bias condition different from the first erase bias condition to the internal word-lines during an erase operation being performed on the first sub-block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Min Choi, Dong-Chan Kim, Ae-Jeong Lee, Moo-Rym Choi
  • Patent number: 10283203
    Abstract: Provided herein are a semiconductor memory device and a method of operating the same. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a status signal generator configured to output an internal status signal indicating whether an operation of the memory cell array has been completed or is being performed and a ready/busy line input mode control unit configured to output a ready/busy signal through a ready/busy line based on the internal status signal or to receive an input signal from an external device through the ready/busy line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Yong Seong
  • Patent number: 10283175
    Abstract: The present application provides a status output method in NAND flash memory, including, setting ALE signal, CLE signal and WE#, signal wherein ALE and/or CLE signal is set to be 1 and WE# signal is set to be 1; when a falling edge of the RE# is detected, outputting LUN status signal of the NAND flash memory. Further, there is provided a NAND flash memory, including I/O signal pins, which includes an ALE signal pin, an CLE signal pin, a WE# signal pin, and a RE# signal pin; wherein when the ALE signal output by the ALE pin and/or CLE signal output by the CLE pin is 1, and WE# signal output by the WE# pin is 1, once a falling edge of the RE# is detected, the LUN status signal of the NAND flash memory is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: GIGADEVICE SEMICONDUCTOR (SHANGHAI) INC., GIGADEVICE SEMICONDUCTOR (BEIJING) INC., GIGADEVICE SEMICONDUCTOR (HEFEI) INC.
    Inventor: Minyi Chen
  • Patent number: 10276221
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory chips, at least one of the memory chips including a first controller configured to be shifted to a wait state of generating a peak current, before generating the peak current in accordance with a command. The device further includes a control chip including a second controller configured to search a state of the first controller and control, based on a result of searching the state of the first controller, whether or not to issue a cancel instruction for the wait state to the first controller that has been shifted to the wait state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Sugahara, Yoshikazu Harada, Shoichiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10269409
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a driving method for word lines thereof are provided. A flash memory of the invention includes a memory cell array including blocks and a block selection element selecting the block of the memory cell array based on row address information and including a block selection transistor, a level shifter, a boost circuit and a voltage supplying element. The block selection transistor is connected to each word line of the block. The level shifter supplies a voltage to a node connected to a gate of the block selection transistor. The boost circuit boosts a potential of the node. The voltage supplying element supplies an operation voltage to one of the terminals of the block selection transistor. The node, after performing first boosting by the operating voltage supplied by the supplying element, performs second boosting by the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 10261721
    Abstract: A memory system includes a first flash memory, a second flash memory and a controller. The first flash memory includes a memory array divided into a plurality of pages. The controller is coupled to the first flash memory and the second flash memory and configured to: control the second flash memory to record an address of a particular page in the first flash memory before programming the particular page; and control the second flash memory to record a program status of the particular page after the particular page has been programed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Liu, Shih-Chou Juan, Nai-Ping Kuo
  • Patent number: 10262725
    Abstract: A selective bit-line sensing method is provided. The selective bit-line sensing method includes the steps of: generating a neuron weights information, the neuron weights information defines a distribution of 0's and 1's storing in the plurality of memory cells of the memory array; and selectively determining either the plurality of bit-lines or the plurality of complementary bit-lines to be sensed in a sensing operation according to the neuron weights information. When the plurality of bit-lines are determined to be sensed, the plurality of first word-lines are activated by the artificial neural network system through the selective bit-line detection circuit, and when the plurality of complementary bit-lines are determined to be sensed, the plurality of second word-lines are activated by the artificial neural network system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Win-San Khwa, Jia-Jing Chen
  • Patent number: 10236038
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for bank to bank data transfer. An example apparatus includes a plurality of banks of memory cells, an internal bus configured to transfer data between the plurality of banks and an external bus interface, and a bank-to-bank transfer bus configured to transfer data between the plurality of banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry V. Lea, Troy A. Manning
  • Patent number: 10224092
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory die, a control circuit, and a signal generator. The first memory die includes at least one charge pump on a memory die. The control circuit is configured to control driving of the at least one charge pump during a time period. The signal generator is configured to generate a control signal that prevents the at least one charge pump of the first memory die not to be driven at a same time with a charge pump in a second memory die different from the first memory die and to apply the generated pump enable control signal to the pump enable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Minsang Park
  • Patent number: 10222990
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory system may include a non-volatile memory die storing a requested data set that a host requests to be read. In response to the host request, a copy of a data set may be retrieved from the non-volatile memory die without performing error correction on an entry identifying a physical address where the data set is stored. If the data set copy matches the requested data set, the data set copy may be sent to the host. If the data set copy does not match the requested data set, then error correction may be performed on a copy of the entry to identify the correct physical address where the requested data set is stored. A copy of the requested data set may then be retrieved and sent to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Bazarsky, Grishma Shah, Idan Alrod, Eran Sharon
  • Patent number: 10224106
    Abstract: A three dimensional stacked nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to an example of the present invention includes a memory cell array comprised of first and second blocks. The first block has a first cell unit which includes a memory cell to be programmed and a second cell unit which does not include a memory cell to be programmed, and programming is executed by applying a program potential or a transfer potential to word lines in the first block after the initial potential of channels of the memory cells in the first and second cell units is set to a plus potential. In the programming, the program potential and the transfer potential are not applied to word lines in the second block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maejima
  • Patent number: 10218503
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for encryption key storage and modification in a data storage device. A portion of an encryption key may be stored in a first storage medium, and one or more bits of the encryption key may be stored in a one-time writable storage location. Data received at the data storage device may be encrypted using the encryption key, and may be stored in a storage medium. In the event that it is no longer desired to allow users to access the encrypted data stored in the storage medium, the one or more bits of the encryption key stored in a one-time writable storage location may be modified. Such modification thereby prevents decryption of the encrypted data and effectively precludes access to the encrypted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: George Christian Cope